Hello again everyone! I'm happy to see that you're enjoying how the story has been going. Now before we go onto the chapter itself, I'll go ahead and answer some questions that I've recently seen in my reviews.
Q1: kineke13 - Could Hitoe could use some of Kai's cards since they both use the same colors?
A: All I can say without giving too much away is keep on reading this chapter and you may get a pleasant surprise.
Q2: catboy97 - Are you going to add the LRIG Umuru in this story?
A: Interesting question there. I am definitely thinking of adding Umuru, but the only issue I'm having at the moment is since the anime staff confirmed she won't show up in actual canon, I have only the quotes on her card flavors to follow on to try and write out her character. All I can say is keep on reading and I'll see what I can do to try and write Umuru into the story.
Well, with those questions answered, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Kai's World: City Park
Aichi walked about the park with concern written all over his expression. Ever since Kai had vanished without a trace, unbeknowst to him was actually the unintentionally doing of Tatsunagi Takuto, he couldn't help but feel worried about what had happened to him. After finding out from Miwa that not even he had known why their friend had disappeared, his worst fears had felt like they were already coming to light. Was this a repeat of what happened when he chose to seal himself away only with reversed roles or was a different element in play this time? Aichi didn't know the answer yet, but he had a feeling that when would eventually find that answer, that's when he would eventually find Kai.
Kai-kun, just what is going on? he thought to himself Why have you vanished from here?
Swallowing a deep breath, he took out his deck from his pocket looking at one card in particular at the front of the deck. Aichi stared hard at Blaster Blade and then looked up to the midday sky, wondering about what could be happening with his friend and rival.
Wixoss World: Outside of the Library
All was peaceful outside of the library for the time being with not that many people passing through the street where the building was situated on. A girl with a dark blackish jacket walked along the pathway. A large red scarf she wore covered up some of her face aside from her brown eyes. A small black hat that this girl had recently acquired covered over most of her brown hair making it almost impossible for anyone who barely knew her to make herself instantly recognizable. Despite the scarf covering up most of her face, the eyes alone could still make out the expression that this girl had. She felt sad, lost and confused, unsure of what she should be doing. However, her trail of thoughts were interrupted from a loud voice coming from the library garden.
"Using Berserk Dragon's ability, I banish Bronda!"
The girl looked across to the trees that obscured the view of the library garden. It sounded like a casual game of Wixoss was already taking place. Having her curiosity get the better of her, she decided to head through to the library garden to see how it would play out. She walked through the doors and headed through the library to the doors leading out to the library door. The girl could then see the battle between Kai and Hitoe playing out in front of her own eyes. She looked closely at the table to notice Yuzuki's card and to her utmost surprise, Tama. Had she chosen not to bite her lip then, she would have gasped out loud, giving away her position and possibly blowing her own cover. Before she could sigh in relief, another voice had chosen to untimely speak out for her.
"So, you've found the traitor. What do you intend to do?"
Before the girl could respond, she could see Yuzuki turning her gaze to the source of her LRIG's voice. She retreated from the door and exited the library before Hitoe's LRIG had a chance to spot her. Back at the table, Tama turned over to Yuzuki noticing her expression.
"What did Yuzuki see?" Tama asked.
"I don't know," the LRIG replied "I think I was just hearing things. But, I could of sworn that sounded like... No, it couldn't be." By then, Kai and Hitoe had briefly paused on their game to see what Yuzuki was murmuring about.
"Um... Don't worry about me!" she replied "I was just hallucinating, that's all. Carry on."
"Right," spoke Kai as he turned his attention back to the battle. "With Blazing Flare's ability, I add 3000 power to Berserk Dragon. Now I move on to my Attack Phase. Are there any effects you wish to use?"
"Um... No," replied Hitoe "You can proceed with your attacks." Kai nodded having that confirmation in mind.
"Berserk Dragon attacks Tyranno!" Hitoe nodded having placed the card in her Ener Zone.
"Next, Dual Axe Archdragon attacks Silvan!"
"Wha...? Dual Axe's power is lower!" gasped Tama "It shouldn't be able to banish Silvan!"
"I wouldn't be so sure," murmured Yuzuki. Tama looked over to her, not quite getting at what she meant before looking back at the battle.
"Dual Axe's skill," replied Kai "When he attacks whilst my opponent only has 1 or no SIGNI at all, then he gains 3000 power until the end of that battle. In other words, his power becomes 11000."
"I see," said Hitoe "In that case, Silvan is banished." She moved the defeated SIGNI to her Ener Zone.
"Blue Ray Dracokid attacks!" Hitoe moved the crushed Life Cloth to her Ener Zone. It revealed Iron, Natural Stone, but no Life Burst icon was present on the bottom of the card.
"Next, Blazing Flare!" Kai declared as he downed the card. Hitoe looked over the cards in her hand and then back at Blazing Flare Dragon.
If I guard now, I won't lose any more Life Cloths this turn. But...
"No guard." She revealed her next crushed Life Cloth to be the Spell, Jetting Knowledge.
"Got a Life Burst," she spoke "I Ener Charge."
"Turn end," Kai spoke.
End of Turn 5
Kai vs Hitoe
Hand - 2 : 2
Life Cloths - 4 : 3
Current LRIGs - Blazing Flare Dragon : Yuzuki-Three
SIGNI: Dual Axe Archdragon - Blue Ray Dracokid - Berserk Dragon : EMPTY - EMPTY - EMPTY
Ener - 6 : 7
Hitoe nervously let out a sigh of relief. Things still felt like they were under control for her, but something deep inside was telling her that Kai wasn't going to let her off that easily. Taking a deep breath, she drew her cards and moved 3 Red cards over from her Ener Zone to her trash. She reached into her LRIG deck and took out one card. Yuzuki looked up at her and could only watch in wonder at how she was going to attempt to regain the offensive. Tama who had mostly been watching from just Kai's plays on the sidelines also turned her attention to the Selector, sharing equal interest in how this would go. Regaining her composure, Hitoe held out the card in front of her.
"I grow Yuzuki-Fourth Warning!" As she placed the card on top of Yuzuki-Three, the image in Kai's mind showed an inferno of purple flames consume Yuzuki-Three as the cannons withered away into ash. When the flames eventually died down, Yuzuki's appearance had drastically changed. She now had a red skirt in the place of her trousers along with bright red stockings. Several purple flames were present behind the LRIG's back almost acting like the firey wingspans on Olivier Gaillard's Bluish Flame Liberator, Prominence Glare. Back to reality, Kai looked on at Yuzuki-Fourth Warning's card.
So this is the power that Hitoe had managed to obtain for you he thought I wonder how she will fare now that she has an advantage over my current state.
"Summon! Using Mušḫuššu's ability, I pay 3 to banish Dual Axe Archdragon!" Kai nodded as he moved the card to his Ener Zone. Yuzuki looked up at Hitoe, holding a warm smile.
"You're doing well," she said "Keep it going!" Hitoe nodded and turned her attention back to Kai.
"Are there any ARTS you want to use?" she asked. Kai looked over the field and shook his head confirming his decision.
"Orochi attacks!" Hitoe called "Using her ability, I move Dual Axe Archdragon from your Ener Zone to your Trash!" Kai moved the card to his Trash Pile, a certain thought on his mind.
"It seems you've realized it now," said Yuzuki, interrupting his trail of thoughts. "Some of my cards focus on burning away at my opponent's Ener, preventing them from using their resources more effectively." Tama looked over to Yuzuki, having just now remembered of what happened during Hitoe's battles with Ruko when she used Yuzuki. Her second battle against Yuzuki and Hitoe was the last battle before the confrontation with Iona and Ulith, where everything eventually fell apart. Despite their victory, Tama could still remember that she was having a hard time dealing with Yuzuki's SIGNI constantly burning away at the Ener they had built up and were only lucky to have enough to use Arc Aura to win the battle. Turning her attention to Kai's scenario, she saw him flip up a Spell as his crushed Life Cloth, this one being another Gatling Claw Dragon. He drew 1 card from the Life Burst effect being present.
"Next!" Kai moved Berserk Dragon and Blue Ray Dracokid to his Ener Zone.
"Finally Yuzuki will attack!" Hitoe called.
"Guard!" Kai revealed Wyvern Guard, Barri from his hand before placing it in his Trash Pile.
"Turn end."
End of Turn 6
Kai vs Hitoe
Hand - 2 : 3
Life Cloths - 3 : 3
Current LRIGs - Blazing Flare Dragon : Yuzuki-Fourth Warning
SIGNI: EMPTY - EMPTY - EMPTY : Mušḫuššu, Phantom Dragon Princess - Silvan, Natural Stone - Orochi, Phantom Dragon Princess
Ener - 8 : 2
"Up and draw." Kai looked at his hand and back at the field, noticing his current situation. Time for a change in plan. As long as Hitoe still has cards to keep burning away at my Ener, Blazing Flare will eventually go to waste.
(Insert Music: Cardfight! Vanguard Soundtrack: Fight 6)
"Grow the Vanguard! The apocalyptic flames that reduce everything in this world to ash!" Yuzuki gritted her teeth. If she knew one thing about those words he spoke back in his battle against Akira, she knew what was coming out. Tama meanwhile looked on in excitement, having realized what Kai was about to bring into the battle.
"Dragonic Overlord!" In the image that Kai had in his mind, a tall column of fire erupted from Blazing Flare Dragon previously before the tall red dragon emerged from the flames with a deafening roar. It stared over Yuzuki with a fierce glint in its yellow eyes. Back to reality, Tama let out a cheer of joy for seeing Kai using Overlord again since his first battle. It may not have been a Selector Battle, but just looking at the dragon depicted on the card was enough to keep her interest in watching.
"I summon and use the ARTS Firefly Sparks to banish Orochi!" Hitoe nodded as she moved the banished SIGNI to her Ener Zone.
"Then I pay 3 SIGNI from my Ener Zone to activate Dragonic Overlord's ability!" Kai declared. After moving 3 cards from his Ener Zone to his Trash Pile, he turned his attention to his SIGNI. "Attack!" Hitoe moved her defeated Silvan to her Ener Zone before flipping over her next two Life Cloths revealing Roaring Fire Pillar and Servant D, a Life Burst having been spotted on the bottom of the second card.
"Using the Life Burst," she said "I Ener Charge."
"Next, Dragonic Overlord attacks Mušḫuššu!"
"Guard!" Hitoe revealed Servant D2 before placing it in her Trash Pile. Kai wasn't too disappointed with the result however, despite the fact that he had wasted 3 Ener to allow Dragonic Overlord to simply attack something that could have been banished with another copy of Firefly Sparks. He looked over to Hitoe to see her regain her breath in relief.
"Turn end."
(End Insert Music)
End of Turn 7
Kai vs Hitoe
Hand - 1 : 2
Life Cloths - 3 : 1
Current LRIGs - Dragonic Overlord : Yuzuki-Fourth Warning
SIGNI: Iron Tail Dragon - Silvan, Natural Stone - Silvan, Natural Stone : Mušḫuššu, Phantom Dragon Princess - EMPTY - EMPTY
Ener - 0 : 6
Yuzuki could only sigh in relief with the knowledge that Hitoe had not forgotten of what Dragonic Overlord was capable of from seeing it in Kai's first Selector Battle and that she was able to defend herself from the attacks coming her way. Tama meanwhile had pouted from the fact that Kai wasn't able to get Overlord to land a single hit on either a SIGNI or the LRIG for that manner. Hitoe drew her cards as she began her turn by placing Iron, Natural Stone in her Ener Zone. Before continuing with her turn, she looked over to Kai. Tama and Yuzuki looked up at Hitoe, unsure of why she chose to stop at the moment.
"You really are a great opponent," Hitoe said "You never let anything rattle you and it seems like even when the odds are against you, you never seem to panic at all."
"But of course," replied Kai "A key element in a Vanguard Fight is to keep a cool head whilst you focus on the game ahead. From what I can gather, you've slowly managed to get your composure together to keep on going. Perhaps you would like to show me the extent of your skill."
"R... Right," she nodded before deciding to continue with her turn. "Here I go." Kai nodded in reply.
(Insert Music: Cardfight! Vanguard Unreleased Soundtrack)*
"Using the ARTS Salvage," she said "I add Orochi from my Trash back into my hand. Summon!" Kai could now see that he was staring down at an imposing formation of 2 Level 4 SIGNI, with Orochi back along with another Silvan, Natural Stone there to make things more difficult for him.
"Thanks to Yuzuki's ability, since you have fewer than 4 Life Cloths in your Ener Zone, my SIGNI gain 2000 power at all times. Using Mušḫuššu's ability, I banish Silvan!" Hitoe then moved 3 cards from her Ener Zone to her Trash and pointed to the Silvan in front of her own Silvan in the center column. Kai nodded and moved the card to his Ener Zone.
"Next, I use Yuzuki's ability," she spoke "By paying all of my Red Ener, I can crush your next Life Cloth." Kai flipped over his next Life Cloth, Dual Axe Archdragon. No Life Burst icon was present on it though, which greatly worried Tama as she watched on from the sidelines. Yuzuki who had been watching Hitoe's plays smiled, having been impressed by her efforts. This battle is now over she thought Kai can't use any Guards to block a SIGNI attack.
"I'll use 2 copies of Charging to Ener Charge twice and One Rule, Two Birds to prevent you from using any Level 1 SIGNI to Guard this turn." Hitoe revealed the top cards of her deck, 2 copies of Wyvern, Phantom Dragon and placed them in her Ener Zone before placing one of them straight into her Trash to fufill the cost for the second ARTS she used. "Finally, by discarding the last card in my hand, I'll use the Spell, Jeweled Sword of Shining Desire and give Silvan the Double Crush power up until the end of this turn." Hitoe revealed
"But that means...!" gasped Tama.
"Hitoe will need to land the LRIG attack successfully," murmured Yuzuki before glancing over to Kai. "Kai only has one card in his hand and I'm willing to bet that is either Barri or not even a Guard SIGNI at all." Tama looked on back at Kai to see that despite the scenario he had been driven into, he wasn't worrying about any of this. She then looked back to Hitoe who was also smiling. Yuzuki noticed this too, though her expression quickly went down.Those two are really having a good time she thought sadly Just like when Ruko was still with us. I just wish she was here, so we could stop Mayu together with Tama by her side once more and hopefully find a way to help Kai return back home. Deciding not to ponder on it any further, she turned her attention back to Hitoe who was about to begin with her attacks.
"My first Orochi attacks Iron Tail Dragon!" she called "With her ability, I send 1 card from your Ener Zone to your Trash." Kai moved Silvan from his Ener Zone to his Trash before moving Iron Tail Dragon there in its place. He then looked back at Hitoe.
"I assume that is not all you have," he spoke, a small smile now on his lips. Hitoe nodded in response to his statement.
"That's right," she answered "Each time a card is moved from your Ener Zone to your Trash because of one of my card effects, Mušḫuššu gains 4000 power. Then when her power becomes at least 20000, she gains Double Crush and when she attacks because of this, I can banish any SIGNI of my choice. However, because I'm only able to send 1 card from your Ener to your Trash this turn, her power is only 18000."
"So if you had another effect to burn away at my Ener," Kai concluded "You would have won this battle already. Even so, you're not planning to let it end like that." Hitoe nodded before turning her attention her next attack.
"My powered up Silvan attacks!" she called "Because of the effect of Jeweled Sword, she has Double Crush and you only have 2 Life Cloths."
"Tama doesn't know if Tama can watch!" Tama cried.
"This'll bring him down to no Life Cloths!" called Yuzuki "Hitoe's won!" Kai then looked across at his current scenario. The only card in his hand was Wyvern Guard, Barri which he couldn't even use against Yuzuki this turn and the current attack was coming in for Double Crush. He held his right hand over the last two Life Cloths he had.
"Even if these odds are stacked against me," he spoke "I won't give up! Check!" He flipped the first card, Berserk Dragon, no Life Burst present on it. He reached for the second card and flipped it face up, revealing a card that everyone knew all too well.
"Genjo?!" gasped Yuzuki.
"Recovering one Life Cloth," said Kai. He then looked back at Hitoe.
"It seems you won't finish me this turn," he spoke "But your attacks aren't through yet if I'm not mistaken." Hitoe nodded before downing Mušḫuššu's card. Kai moved his other Silvan to his Ener Zone. The Selector held her hand over the Yuzuki-Fourth Warning card she had in play.
"Yuzuki will attack!" she called. As she downed the card, on the field that Kai was picturing in his mind, Yuzuki gathered her hands together, charging up an energy ball of purple fire. When it was large enough, she hurled it right at Dragonic Overlord, knocking the dragon back several feet. Overlord was not down, but it had certainly taken a beating from the attacks it suffered from. Back to reality, Kai flipped up the new Life Cloth revealing Dragon Monk, Gojo before looking back at Hitoe. She let out a sigh of disappointment.
"Turn end."
(End Insert Music)
End of Turn 8
Kai vs Hitoe
Hand - 1 : 0
Life Cloths - 0 : 1
Current LRIGs - Dragonic Overlord : Yuzuki-Fourth Warning
SIGNI: EMPTY - EMPTY - EMPTY : Mušḫuššu, Phantom Dragon Princess - Silvan, Natural Stone - Orochi, Phantom Dragon Princess
Ener - 5 : 0
"Darn it," groaned Yuzuki "Hitoe had one chance to finish him and I think she's blown it."
"How so?" asked Tama.
"Haven't you noticed?" she replied "Hitoe's got no cards in her hand and Kai's got 5 cards in his Ener Zone. If she's going to get out of this, there's only one card that can save her." Meanwhile, Kai looked on over at Hitoe with a small smile.
"Impressive," he spoke "You came close to defeating me, even with my lack of a Level 4 LRIG and SIGNI to follow suit. Though you still hold a frail outside appearance, you still hold a strong will to keep on going and help those dearest to you. Even Aichi would be impressed by your resolve."
"Y... You really think so?" murmured Hitoe, having not expected that from him. Kai nodded to confirm her question.
"But, this battle has now drawn to its close," he spoke.
(Insert Music: Cardfight! Vanguard Soundtrack: Kai no Theme)
"Up and draw. I Ener Charge and pay the cost for Firefly Sparks to banish Orochi!" Hitoe could only move the SIGNI card to her Ener Zone as this had now left her LRIG wide open.
"I summon Cross Shot, Garp and pay the cost for my own One Rule, Two Birds!" Kai declared as he paid one of the only two Ener he had left. Hitoe looked on nervously at Dragonic Overlord's card. Although this was not a Selector Battle, she felt as though the presence that Yuzuki had mentioned earlier was only getting stronger as the ARTS effect was applied.
"Garp attacks!" Hitoe reached for her last Life Cloth that she had available. I don't have a card like Dragon Monk, Genjo to regain any Life Cloths. But there's still a chance I can make it through. She flipped up the card revealing another copy of Mušḫuššu with a Life Burst present.
"Using this effect," she said "I reveal the top card. If it's a Dragon Beast SIGNI, I can draw it and 1 more card."
"So this all comes down to one card," he spoke "Very well then. Let's see if fate is still on your side." Hitoe nodded and flipped over the top card. Sadly to no avail, it was the Spell, Expelling Flames of the Dragon Phoenix. She sadly sighed as she added the card to her hand.
"Dragonic Overlord," Kai spoke as he downed the card "Final Attack!"
On the battlefield he was imaging in his mind, Dragonic Overlord took flight into the air and let out a huge torrent of crimson fire towards Yuzuki who could do nothing but watch as the flames consumed her in an instant. Back to reality, Hitoe looked back up at Kai and was able to muster out a kind smile. He nodded and smiled back as well. Whilst Tama continued to cheer loudly, Yuzuki however was preoccupied by something else on her mind.
(End Insert Music)
That voice I thought I heard. Could that have been Iona? Was Ruko underneath our noses this whole time? If so, we're now back to square one and the rest of us don't even know it. Deciding not to let that disappointment get the better of her, she turned her attention back to Hitoe.
"You did really well," she said "You've really gotten better at keeping your cool lately."
"Yeah," replied Hitoe, before her mood suddenly went down. "If only I could have done it sooner for Midoriko when she needed me most." Yuzuki grimaced as she remembered everything that happened back then from what her former LRIG, Hanayo had deduced after Hitoe's third loss from before. Nonetheless, she turned to see Kai reach for something in his pocket and hand it over to Hitoe. It looked like a batch of cards that he assembled into a pile. Hitoe was surprised when she looked through the batch of cards.
"Aren't these some of your Kagero units Kai?" she asked.
"Spares that I have obtained from the box I opened yesterday," he answered "Since some of your cards revolve around Dragon Beast SIGNI, I thought you might be able to make some use out of a few of the cards I've given you."
"Really? Thank you so much!" Hitoe replied. She brought up Yuzuki's card to the pile as the LRIG inspected them closely.
"I suppose we might be able to find a way to mix them in," she spoke "But for now, we must return to the subject at hand. Finding Ruko and getting to the bottom of this."
"Tama will find Ru!" Tama called out loud "Tama also liked Kai's battle!"
Kai nodded in agreement with the LRIG's first statement before he and Hitoe gathered their belongings and walked over to the exit of the Library Garden. The two walked through the building together before coming out through the entrance.
"We'll split up for now," said Yuzuki "But we'll promise to keep in contact if anything happens."
"I understand," spoke Kai "Just be careful."
Hitoe nodded before waving goodbye to him and going on her way into the city. Kai looked down at Tama's card to find the LRIG was feeling slightly down from the fact the two had not really made any progress in getting any closer to finding Ruko. She looked back at him however and smiled to try and not feel too down about the whole scenario.
"What does Kai want to do?" she asked.
"Our search will continue," he spoke "Until we can find Ruko and know exactly what is going on, we cannot advance any further in our own discovery for the truth behind the Selector Battles. Now then, are you with me?"
Tama nodded with a big smile in response to his question. Kai couldn't help, but smile a little from Tama's enthusiasm. He slipped the card in his pocket before walking away from the library. As he did so however, the same girl that had briefly eavesdropped on their battle stepped out from the alleyway he had passed by a few seconds ago and glanced down, watching him walk even further into the city. She couldn't help but sigh a little as she watched him continue to walk deeper and deeper into the city, curious of his intent. And the fact that he was holding Tama, something was just bugging her about it.
So Kai is your name. Why are you involved in all this? More importantly, why are you holding 'her'? The one who ruined everything...
And there we go! So yeah, had it not been for Genjo right there, Hitoe would have legitimately beaten Kai on her own. I hope that last part of this chapter answered your question well kineke13. So from the recent chapters you've read, you know that Ren and Leon are already planning to take action to find Kai in the world of Wixoss. And before anyone gets any doubts, yes, Aichi will be joining them, I'll get to writing up that part ASAP. Anyway, speaking of that topic, I've just put up a poll on my profile to allow you to vote for one more character from the Vanguard world that will join the three of them. Who that will be is up to you to decide. Anyway, don't forget to favourite, follow and/or leave a review. Until then!
* This soundtrack plays in Episode 169 on the turn Kai uses Seeker, Sing Saver Dragon's Soulmate Legion for the first time.